Napa County Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 Kennels, Zoos and Animal Exhibits

The director of public works shall adopt such rules and regulations as deemed reasonably necessary to carry out the purpose of this chapter, and to insure the maintenance of approved and humane conditions at any place for which a permit is granted hereunder. A copy of such rules and regulations shall be furnished to each applicant for a permit upon the filing of an application.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6164)

(Ord. No. 1379, § 27, 1-29-2013)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to include livestock or fowl kept for breeding, domestic purposes or for sale as food.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6163)

A. No person shall, without first obtaining a permit therefor from the animal shelter, operate a dog kennel in the county. The term "dog kennel" shall not include a veterinary hospital.

B. No person shall construct or remodel a kennel without first submitting the plans therefor to the animal shelter to determine their compliance with Section 6.08.110 of this chapter, and with regulations adopted pursuant to Section 6.08.010 hereof.

C. Before seeking a permit from the animal shelter in accordance with subsection (A) of this section or submitting plans in accordance with subsection (B) of this section, a person who wishes to operate, construct, or remodel a kennel, shall consult with the planning and building divisions of the planning, building and environmental services department and the public works department, and obtain any additional permits and review as may be required by the county.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 575 § 8, 1978: prior code § 6150)

(Ord. No. 1379, § 28, 1-29-2013)

Each application for a permit under this chapter shall be in writing upon a form to be furnished by the animal shelter, and shall contain such information as required by the form.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6152)

A. Applications for the permit designated in subsection (A) of Section 6.08.030, or plan checks pursuant to subsection (B) of Section 6.08.030, shall be accompanied by that fee established by resolution of the board of supervisors.

B. The fee for an operating permit shall be paid between July 1st and September 1st of each year, and, if paid after September 1st of any year, shall be subject to a late filing penalty of twenty-five percent of the amount of the fee.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 906 § 15, 1989: Ord. 837 § 19, 1987: Ord. 575 § 10, 1978: Ord. 504 § 5, 1976: prior code § 6158)

Upon the filing of each application under this chapter, either for an original permit or a renewal thereof, the animal shelter shall make such investigation as it deems proper. It shall then issue a permit to the applicant if it finds that:

A. The keeping of animals, or the conduct or operation of the business for which the permit is requested and at the place set forth in the application, will not violate any law or ordinance of the county, or any law of the state; and

B. The keeping of animals or the conduct or operation of the business for which the permit is requested will not constitute a menace to the health, peace or safety of the community; and

C. The applicant has not had such a permit revoked within one year prior to the date of the application.

D. A use permit, if required by Title 18 of this code, has been issued.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6153)

The permit issued under this chapter shall constitute the license for all dogs regularly kept in a kennel. Whenever a dog is removed from any such kennel, the owner thereof shall forthwith apply for and obtain an annual license as otherwise required by Chapters 6.04, 6.12 and 6.16 of this title.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6151)

Unless otherwise specifically provided, all permits issued by the animal shelter, as required by this chapter, shall automatically expire on the thirtieth day of June next following the date of issue, unless sooner revoked or suspended, or unless the holder of such permit changes the location of the kennel, or sells, assigns, transfers or otherwise disposes of the interest therein for a period of thirty days, in which cases such permits shall expire upon the thirtieth day after the date of change of location, sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of the kennel.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6154)

All permits issued hereunder shall be kept posted in a conspicuous place on the premises.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6156)

A. Any permit issued hereunder may be revoked or suspended if, after due investigation, the animal shelter finds that the permittee, agent or employee:

1. Has been convicted of any offense involving the violation of Section 597 of the Penal Code, or of any provision of this chapter; or

2. Has, at the place for which the permit was issued, failed to provide any animal, fowl or reptile with proper and sufficient food, drink, shelter or protection, or has subjected any such animal, fowl or reptile to needless suffering, unnecessary cruelty, or abuse; or

3. Has failed to maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary condition; or

4. Has violated any rule or regulation of the animal shelter.

B. Following such finding, any such permit shall be deemed revoked upon the animal shelter mailing to the holder of such license written notification of revocation, addressed to such licensee at the address appearing upon such license. Any licensee whose license has been suspended or revoked shall be entitled to appeal the decision to the board of supervisors in accordance with Chapter 2.88 of this code upon the merits of such revocation or suspension.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6157)

A. All kennels or other places where dogs are kept in the county for breeding, training, treatment, sale or other purposes shall be so constructed to prevent dogs confined therein from running at large off the premises where the kennel is maintained, and shall be maintained and operated and constructed in a sanitary and proper manner so that the same will not become a nuisance to the neighborhood thereof.

B. No dog shall at any time be taken from the premises whereon such kennel is operated unless the dog has a county license tag attached, and the owner, the owner's agents or employees, who shall run or take dogs off the premises of the kennel, or permit them to be run or taken therefrom without a license tag attached, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6162)

Any building, pen, cage or other structure where animals, fowl or reptiles are housed in connection with any zoo, wild animal exhibit or dog kennels, may be inspected and approved by the county health officer to insure the safety and health of the public.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6160)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to exempt an owner or operator of a kennel, zoo or wild animal exhibit from any of the provisions of Chapters 6.04, 6.12 and 6.16 of this title.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6161)

Animals, fowl or reptiles confined on the premises of a zoo shall not be transported from one location to any other without the prior consent of the animal control officer, the animal shelter, and county health officer.

(Ord. 1305 § 2 (part), 2008: prior code § 6159)